The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-04-01

himself from his gloomy abstraction
he began listening to their converse
ton. They were both young, rather
sporting looking men, and one had
evidently been describing to the other
the personal appearance OF some un-
known lady.
She's a thorough little beauty, |
tell you, and l Hatter myself Pm a
good Judge" was his enthusiastic con-
clusion. "ShOuldn't mind travelling up
to town with her myself"
"Why don't you then" came IN
answer.
The first speaker "Idaren't
my boy. She has a gorgOn Of n maid
with her, who is even more freezing
than this beastly weather. Tell you
what, though, at the next station I'll
try to get her some tea or something,
and that'Il pave the way to a chat"
ChalIoner frowned involuntarlly
Such talk was peculiarly distastetui
to INN; and for the first timeit struck
him that for the future his Madge
would be open to any and every chance
insult which men such as his
feIlow-travelers might choose to put
upon her. The very thought OF If
made his blood boil. Madge was so
pretty, so young, and in many ways
so thoughtless, that, even more than
another, she might be madetO feel her
unprotected state; and whatever
might happen, he himself would be
powerIess to shield her. He became
so absorbed in this new thought that
he hardly noticed when the creeping
train came to a standstiLl; and it was
only when q sudden blast OF cold air
made it apparent that his companions
had thrown down the window and
were leaning out that he reused him
self to inquire the cause. He was put
ting his head out of his own window
to look about him when the guard
came along the footboard, feeling his
way laboriously in the binding snow
and shouting at the top OF his voice
that all passengers were to descend.
Instantly all was in confusion. Cries
of why? What's the matter? Are we
in danger? and guardl guard! re-
sounded on all sides. Immediately
the younger of his companions unfast-
ened the door and calculating, NOW
for that pretty grill" jumped out;
while the other more slowly collected
his wraps and observed that he ''sup-
posed the snow had been too much
for the engine"
This indeed proved to be the case;
and. after some pardonable grumbling,
Challoner got out ofthe train and fol-
lowed in the track of these who were
picking their way toward a roadside
station at some forty yards distance.
AS he did so he caught the rough, per-
suasive tones OF his late companion:
Really now, you had better take my
arm; we shall get on f~irst-rate."
The door OF a frst-class carriage
was swinging open, and standing be-
fore it-so directly in his path that
Challoner almost fell over hini-was
the young gentleman who had vaunt-
ed his appreciation of feminine beau
ty. Naturally Challoner's glance fol-
lowed his, and although he could not
distinguish the lady's features he was
becoming dimly conscious that the
brown velvet coat was strangely ia
miliar, when she spoke q few words in
a tone which sent the blood rapidly
coursing through his veins: "Thank
you; l viii not trouble you; my maid
is with me-"
Madge's voicel Challoner dropped
his rugs, scrambled up on to the foot
board, and held out his arms. "Come
down at oEcel'" he cried authorize.
lively. at may not be sale for you
to stay there. Jump, and I'll catch
you. May I trouble you to get out Of
my way, Sir? This lady is my wife
Madge flung herself instantly into
the outstreJched arms, and burst into
hysterical sobbing. ooh John. john
/ have been so cold and so frightened
And the light in our carriage went out.
and / thought something might hap
pen to the train and hurt you"
"Why, Madge?"
Never before had Challoner seen his
wife so thoroughly unhinged and
frightened, and his heart gave a great
leap as he echoed her last words
Hurt me? OF course not. But how
came you to be travelling to town
Why didn't you stay in Edinburgh
DO you think you have taken coid7'
He asked the questionsa all in a breath
but when she began explaining thal
she wanted to spend Christmas il
town with her aunt, he hastily Gu
her short.
There is no time to talk; we mus
get on to the station. Parker (thi
to the maid,1 follow me closely, ant
try to walk in my footsteps. / shal
carry your mistress; the snow is to-
deep for her.
hiIespeakinghet took the tremblin
girl in his arms, and began slowl.
plodding along in the direction til
guard had indicated. OF coufseit wa
| only q chance meeting. and ChallOne